Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-03-12
HIS NEIGHB0RS REGARD.
PUBLIC SERVICES OVER THE REMAINS
CT THE DEAD BEECHER
Give Fitting Expression to The Love
and Reverence of His Fellow Towns
men - Eloquent Discourses by Revs.
Hail and Taimsge--The Struggle for q
Parting Look-A Eay of Mourning.

Ward Beecher. The public offices were
closed business was entirely Suspended and
memorial services were held in large num-
Der of churches in the vicinity of Plymouth
church. The up-t town streets looked deserted.
As early as Z O'Clock Fulton avenue was
thronged with people hurrying i'll the direc-
ton of Plymouth church. Lines of police
men were stationed at the ends of the block
on which the church is situated, and no
one was allowed to pass through the line I'M
lsss he had a ticket Before O'Clock the liue
in Orange street was two blocks long, three
abreast. The streets were hacked with peO-
pie, who hung around hoping that they
might be able to get in without ticket The
members Of Plymouth company, G., of the
Thirteenth regiment, of which Mr. Beecher
WIS chaplain, wore stationed at the doors of
the church ard in the lecture room.
While the vast crowd of people were gath
erng outside Of the church the lady MEM
hers Of the congregation were working like
beavers within, dressing the pulpit and
casket with flowers. The whole interior was
turned into PEI feet flower garden, and the
fragrant perfume OF the roses prevailed the
air The walls, gall ries and organ were
covered with evergreens, palms, and Gala
lilies The reading desk was covered with
roses and vines, rs was also the chair in
which Mr.. Beecher sat for so many wears.
In the center Of the organ-loft was floral
emblem in the shape of triangle, on the
top of which were perched two white
doves with white ribbons in their
hills. The facade of the gallery
was covered with potted plants. The
pulpit was loaded down with flowers and
floral emblems sent by friends and different
organizations. The ca~ket was placed on a
catafalque Of white roses, whits carnations,
and smilsx, directly in front of the reading
desk Mrs 5. V White and several ladies
devoted their tune before the doors were
opened in covering the casket with lilies OF
the valley, eucharis roses, smilax, maiden
hair ferns, tubaroses. and French mess
When they finished not a vestiSe of the black
covering of the casket could be seen There
was nothing To indicate the presence of death
except the stiffness which pervaded the room
and the hushed conversation of the workers
The church had more the appearance of
wedding than funeral.
1t was nearly 10 O'clock before the doors
were thrown open to those who had been
waiting without for nearly three hours.
During the time that the audience were be-
ing shown to their S ats thu organist PLAYED
low, sweet music upon the grand organ The
| first four seats on the right of the center
aisle were reserved for the relatives Of the
deceased. Mr. Beecher's family was not
present, .'and the family pew was filled with
aowers. Mrs. beecher was in the church
for a few minutes before the doors were
opened and left with her sons before the
crowd entered
On the left side OF the center aisle were
the members of thu Clerical union, of which
Mr. Beecher was member L number Of
years.
Behind these were seated the officers OF the
Thirteenth regiment, and then came the
members Of ;he legislative committee who
wore badges made Of Whit silk Behind
these were delegates from nearly every
| social political, or religious organization i'll
New York and Brooklyn. There was del
egation Of the Cu!ored Ministers association
present
At 1870 o'clock the Rev. Charles H. Hall,
robed IN his white surplice and accompanied
by the Rev. s B Halliday, entered the
church and assembled the platform When
music ceased Dr. Hall com nencei to read in
low hut clear tones the opening sentences of
the Protestant Episcopal burial service.
After these the double quartette and chorus
Of sixty voices sang the burial chant: Lord.
Let Ne Know Mine End The lesson was
read by DR. Hall and a PRAYER was delivered
by the Rev S B. Halliday. The r,,,t OF the
musical programme was as follows: Anthem.
Blessed Are the DEPARTED" Jesus. Lover
Of Ny Soul. l Heard a Voice" 'Hark,
Hark, Ny Soul" The organ was lresiIe, al
by Henry f Brown and Gen. Ho-atlo c.
King
After the first lesson Dr. Hsl delivered
his Grafton. During Its delivery there was
not dry eye IN the house. and several times
be was compelled to stop for tims to gain
control OF his voice The Grafton was an
eloquent eulogy of the deal pastor. AMI
close with an incident which took place In
Plymouth church two weeks ago when Mr.
Beecher remained after the congregation
had dispersed to listen to the organist with
one or Tvs 0 singers who were practicinG
hymn While so engaged two little street
Arabs wandered into the edlice attracted by
the music, and one of them stood as though
ertrancei, listening Mr. Beecher stopped
"a, xn, raised the BOYS face and kissed him,
and then with his arms about both of them
left the church for tie last time The close
Of the oratIcn was as follows:
II was fitting close to a grand life-the
old man Of genius and fame shielding the lit
tie wanderers: great IL breasting traditional
ways and prejGdices, great also in the gesture,
50 Ike him, that recognized a.. did the Master
that the humblest and poorest were his breth-
ren-the great preacher led oat into the night
by the little nlmeless walls
The great Life of Christ Is 1T unfinished
for Us 10 do Cur little part, and We weave our
humble deeds and teachings into the story.
Men will praise our brother for genius
patriotism, victories. and intellectual labors
Ny love for him has had its origin i'll his
broad humanity. his utter lack of sham his
transparent love Of the JUNCTION from above
that dweiIs IL and tea hes and beauties the
lines of duty. He said If his father: The
two things which he desired most were the
glory Of God and the good of mem So ii
was with hln as the hearts Of grateful mvri-
ads attest But we hid him here farewell !,
and to Inc, oftenest, will come the vision of
him passing out of yonder door with bis arms
about the boys: passing on To the city of Coo
where he hears again the familiar voice of
the master saying, '0f such is the kingdom
of heaven"
DR.. Hall pronounced the benediction ana
the vast audience slowly filed out of the
church 1t was notable gathering and
one long to be remembered by those pres
ent
After the conclusion of the services at
the church the public was admitted to
view the body. The people were formed in
line along Orange and down Henry street,
with policemen every few yards to keep the
late-comers from breaking in. In short
time the line extended for two blocks, and
two hours after the doors were thrown open
the line was nearlya quarter of mile long,
three times the length of that of the previous
day.
Those IN charge Of the funeral had in
tended 20 close the doors of the church at !:
p m, but when the appointed hour arrived
tie crowd was so dense that it was decide,
y give an hour of grace. The line com
nn.1riny at tho rastat ins;da the church ey.